Personals

Jill Spagnoli of Great Date Now interviews a client at the firm's Center City office. (Bonnie Weller / Staff Photographer)

Old-style matchmaking supplies personal touch

Lynn Marks is part of a rising trend of people who are shutting off their computers and turning to professional matchmaking companies for help finding Mr. (or Ms.) right.

advice

Carolyn Hax

Best friend she helped through a tough time won’t be around for her wedding prep

Question: Please help me sort out my feelings about my best friend. She has been through a rough few months. She had an emotionally abusive relationship come to a head and (mercifully) end, but it wasn’t without hours and hours of best-friend duty: taking hysterical phone calls, visiting her, etc. She was in crisis mode for a long while and always wanted talk about "her immense pain." I’ve seen her through more relationship drama in our 10-year friendship than I care to think about. She’s also had some health problems that, fortunately, also seem to be over. And she turned 30 recently, another source of anxiety.Meanwhile, I’m going through a lot too — mostly positive, but a lot. I’m getting married in the fall; I just moved in with my fiance; my contract job is ending in weeks, and I’m trying to line up new work. I’ve tried to be understanding about my best friend’s needs, and to realize she can’t reciprocate as much right now. I have other good friends I can rely on. She apologizes for not being a good maid of honor, or for dominating a conversation with her worries, and so far I really haven’t minded. The wedding is, after all, seven months away. However, she just said she’s accepting a six-month position in a foreign country. Even though she said she’ll be here for the wedding, she won’t be here for anything else. I’m not wanting the royal treatment or anything — I just want my best friend to talk to as I go through this transition.

Dear Abby: Online dater fibbed about her name and age

DEAR ABBY: I do online dating. For safety, I use an alias. I look much younger than my 43 years, so I went out with a 29-year-old who thinks I’m 33. I have horrible luck with relationships and didn’t think this one would be any different. Boy, was I wrong! We have been dating three weeks now.How do I tell him I’m 43, have two kids he doesn’t know about and a different name? Or should I just break it off now?

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love

'I was just in heaven'

Love: Hanging out with a married couple helped bring Katie and Nick together. They hit the jackpot in Atlantic City and have been living in heaven ever since.